Your English-speaking guide and private vehicle will wait for you at your Yinchuan hotel lobby. You’ll head straight to the Western Xia Tombs area. En route, your guide will share vivid stories about the Western Xia Dynasty. Feel free to ask questions anytime.

Address: Near Jiefang West Street, Xixia District, Yinchuan 750021, China

Duration: 1 hour

History in one sentence: This museum displays relics of the Western Xia Dynasty (1038–1227), a Tangut regime that blended nomadic and Central Plains cultures before Mongol conquest.

Start your journey here with an expert guide. Explore relics like stone horses, Tangut script tablets, delicate porcelains, ancient Buddhist sutras, paintings and statues. These artifacts vividly show the dynasty’s glory and cultural fusion.

Location: Western Xia Palace, Jinshui Tourist Area, Xixia District, Yinchuan 750021, China

Duration: 20 minutes

History in one sentence: These dual-language stone tablets reveal Western Xia politics, culture and ethnic exchanges, even supplementing Song Dynasty historical records.

Wander leisurely among scattered stone tablets. They bear both Tangut and Chinese inscriptions. These fragmented relics offer rare insights into the dynasty’s past. Some even correct gaps in ancient historical records.

Address: East Foot of Helan Mountain, 35 km West of Yinchuan, Yinchuan 750200, China

Duration: 1 hour

History in one sentence: Known as the “Oriental Pyramids”, this UNESCO site is the largest, best-preserved Tangut royal mausoleum complex, witnessing the dynasty’s peak prosperity.

Visit this vast desert complex of imperial tombs. It holds 9 imperial mausoleums, 254 subordinate tombs and ruins of kilns and palaces. Your guide will lead you to Tombs No.1, 2 and 3. You’ll explore well-preserved walls, rammed earth platforms and foundations. Learn about the mausoleum’s layout, burial customs, construction techniques and artistic achievements. Uncover mysteries of the Tangut civilization that once thrived in Northwest China.

Address: West of Qingtongxia Reservoir, Qingtongxia 751600, China

Duration: 1 hour

History in one sentence: Built in the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368), this 108-pagoda cluster in an isosceles triangle is one of China’s largest, neatest ancient pagoda groups with deep Buddhist symbolism.

First, enjoy a tasty local lunch at a nearby restaurant to recharge. Then travel to Qingtongxia for the iconic 108 Pagodas. Marvel at their arrangement: 12 rows of odd numbers forming a grand isosceles triangle on the hillside. Climb to the top with your guide for a panoramic view. In Buddhism, 108 symbolizes the elimination of 108 earthly troubles. Soak in the serene scenery of the winding Yellow River and rugged mountains. It’s a perfect blend of natural beauty and spiritual significance.

After your full day of exploration, you’ll be comfortably transferred back to your Yinchuan hotel.